The intermediate rolls of the small steel mill and the rod mill are made of low carbon alloy steel which gives it extraordinary mechanical properties, ideal for a work in the industry with precision machining and high speed guarantees. The low carbon content indicates a higher resistance to wear and transmits less carbon to the treated parts, alleviating the fatigue effect.
The surface hardness of the intermediate rolls can be controlled depending on the application. In the case of hot strips, they must be selected with higher hardness and therefore greater wear resistance. For thin gauge sheets and thin strips, a lower hardness is recommended to ensure correct control of the rolling process.
The manufacturing process of the intermediate rolls also varies depending on the work that will be performed. In order to ensure a correct rolling operation, the surface of the roll must have a certain geometry, or roll crown. This crown must be adjusted in the order of manufacture to the desired shape and degree of inclination, depending on the final product.
The material used in the manufacture of the intermediate rolls must be able to withstand the temperatures generated during the rolling process and different working conditions. For this, low carbon alloy steel is selected, which maintains a good hardness without increasing its fragility. The toughness of the material is another important factor that must be taken into account, since it is essential for a good behavior under high stresses of work.
In addition, the intermediate rolls must have a uniform and coarse surface finish to maintain good adherence between the roll and the sheet or bar during rolling. This surface must be regularly maintained, cleaned and checked for imperfections during the process in order to prevent any abnormal condition from occurring.
Finally, the intermediate rolls must be tested once they have been manufactured to check that they adequately meet the required hardness and then packed and stored correctly until they are used in the rolling process. This is an additional security step that ensures a correct behaviour of the roll during operation.
